Cuba Solidarity Campaign C/o Unite, 33-37 Moreland Street, London EC1V 8BB Tel 020 7490 5715 E: [email protected] W: www.cuba-solidarity.org.uk
Dear Friend,
In the Footsteps of Che Study Tour Havana to Santa Clara 16–27 February 2020
We are pleased to announce the return of our ever popular and thought-provoking study tour, In the Footsteps of Che. The tour will examine Che Guevara’s integral role in the Cuban Revolution and explore Cuba’s current cultural and social values in the central provinces.
We anticipate a very strong interest in this tour and recommend you book early to avoid disappointment.
The Cuba Solidarity Campaign is running this tour in association with Havanatour (ATOL 4636), the UK’s leading Cuba specialist, and we enclose the Havanatour booking conditions and Booking Form for your information.
In the Footsteps of Che provides an exciting opportunity to visit and explore some of the key sites relevant to Che Guevara’s role in the struggle against the US-backed dictator Batista and US imperialism. You will meet the Cuban people in their neighbourhoods, workplaces and schools, with time to relax and enjoy the local culture and stunning scenery. This is a wonderful opportunity to see the real Cuba away from the usual tourist trails and experience the achievements of the Revolution, as well as the problems caused by the US blockade, through unique and inspiring visits.
Visit the inspiring Che Guevara museum, mausoleum and Tren Blindado site in Santa Clara, where Che intercepted Batista’s troop train and heralded the end of the brutal dictatorship. Explore the Museum of the Revolution in Havana and the La Cabana fortress, formerly Che’s first command centre after 1 January 1959, where he trained troops. Learn about Cuba’s healthcare system through visits to a polyclinic health centre and an elderly people’s home. Learn about Cuba’s education system through visits to a primary school, a school for visually impaired students, Santa Clara University (the site of support for Che in the battle for Santa Clara, and where the current Cuban president Díaz-Canel studied), a specialist music school, and a museum dedicated to the 1961 Literacy Campaign. Meet Cuban families at a neighbourhood Committee for the Defence of the Revolution (CDR) meeting in Santa Clara.
For Cuban coffee, books, music and much more shop at http://shop.cuba-solidarity.org.uk/ CheST2020_120719
Cuba Solidarity Campaign C/o Unite, 33-37 Moreland Street, London EC1V 8BB Tel 020 7490 5715 E: [email protected] W: www.cuba-solidarity.org.uk
Visit El Mejunje (translates as ‘The Mixture’), a LGBT+ cultural centre in Santa Clara, which campaigns against homophobia and social discrimination and includes a theatre, café, art gallery and music venue, as well as hosting film screenings and a weekly gay disco. Meet with the ‘Institute for Friendship Between Peoples’ (ICAP) and representatives of the Federation of Cuban Women (FMC) and the Federation of Cuban workers (CTC). Enjoy a walking tour of Old Havana, the stunningly renovated section of Cuba’s captivating capital city, and ascend José Martí’s monument in Plaza de la Revolución. Visit Playa Girón in the Bay of Pigs, on the southern coast of Matanzas province, which in April 1961 was the scene of the ill-fated, CIA-sponsored invasion. Visit Remedios, Cuba’s eighth oldest town famous for its December fireworks, on the north coast of Villa Clara province. Visit the beautiful beaches of Cayo Santa Maria (8 miles long) which is part of the UNESCO recognized ‘Reserva de Biosfera Buenavista’, and enjoy the Caribbean sea. Enjoy the traditional sounds of live Cuban music at a local Casa de la Trova.
The leader of the tour will be Geoff Bottoms. He has successfully led many Cuba Solidarity Campaign study tours to Cuba, and has travelled extensively throughout the island. He has a wide and detailed knowledge of Cuban politics, culture and society.
The full cost of this unique 11-night tour, based on 21 participants, is £2,188 per person. A minimum group of 16 is required for this tour. However, if the group numbers 16-20 we will need to add a small group supplement of £138 per person.
In addition, if you are not yet a member of the Cuba Solidarity Campaign, we are delighted to give you one year’s free membership as part of your participation in one of our study tours.
Accommodation & Meal Plans Hotel Vedado, Havana (3 star): 16-19 February 2020, 4 nights, bed & breakfast. Hotel America, Santa Clara (2 star): 20-26 February 2020, 7 nights, half-board (breakfast and evening meal). Flight Times Virgin Atlantic Economy 16 February 2020. Outbound: VS063. London Gatwick (North Terminal) to Havana. Depart: 12:00. Arrive: 17:10 local time. 27 February 2020. Inbound: VS064. Havana to London Gatwick. Depart: 16:20. Arrive: 06:20 on 28 February 2020 local UK time. Please note that flight times are subject to final confirmation by the airline. Joining instructions, flight tickets and Cuban tourist cards will be issued approximately 14 days before departure. Transport Air conditioned transport with driver and English speaking specialist local guide as per itinerary.
For Cuban coffee, books, music and much more shop at http://shop.cuba-solidarity.org.uk/ CheST2020_120719
Cuba Solidarity Campaign C/o Unite, 33-37 Moreland Street, London EC1V 8BB Tel 020 7490 5715 E: [email protected] W: www.cuba-solidarity.org.uk ITINERARY
Day Morning Afternoon Evening Sun 16 Flight to Havana Arrive Havana approx. Feb 5pm local time Mon 17 Walking tour of Old Havana. Meetings with ICAP and Feb Federation of Cuban Women. Tue 18 Visit to the Museum of the Visit to Revolution Feb Revolution and La Cabana Square. Ascent of José fortress/ Comandancia del Che. Martí monument. Wed 19 Visit to Primary School and to the Free afternoon Meal at el Aljibe Feb Literacy Campaign Museum. Restaurant in Havana
Thu 20 Transfer to Santa Clara via Bay of Meeting with ICAP on Feb Pigs (Playa Girón). arrival
Fri 21 Visit to Music School Visit to cooperative farm Feb Sat 22 Visit to the Che Guevara Free afternoon Visit to Casa de la Feb memorial and museum. Visit to Trova the Tren Blindado monument.
Sun 23 Day trip to Cayo Santa Maria via Feb Remedios
Mon 24 Visit to Santa Clara university Visit to policlinic Feb Tue 25 Meeting with Cuban Workers’ Visit to El Mejunje Feb Confederation (CTC) community centre
Wed 26 Visit to school for blind and Visit to elderly people’s Feb visually impaired students residential home
Thu 27 Depart Santa Clara to transfer Flight to London Gatwick Feb direct to Havana airport. Fri 28 Arrive London Gatwick 06.20 Feb
This Itinerary may be subject to changes, eg visits at different times, on different days.
For Cuban coffee, books, music and much more shop at http://shop.cuba-solidarity.org.uk/ CheST2020_120719
Cuba Solidarity Campaign C/o Unite, 33-37 Moreland Street, London EC1V 8BB Tel 020 7490 5715 E: [email protected] W: www.cuba-solidarity.org.uk
What is included: direct return flights with Virgin Atlantic from London Gatwick to Havana, UK Departure Tax, 11 nights’ accommodation (detailed in itinerary) based on two people sharing twin room with en suite facilities, Cuba Tourist Card, all meals listed in the itinerary and meal plan, services of an English speaking specialist local guide, CSC tour leader, air conditioned transport as per itinerary in Cuba and entrance to all visits and excursions listed in the itinerary.
What is not included: Travel insurance, transfers to and from the departure airport (Gatwick), Single Room Supplement (£130 per person) if required and any services not listed as included. All drinks are excluded. Smaller group supplement and any flight supplements.
To confirm your participation, please complete and send the enclosed Booking Form with your deposit of £100 per person, made payable to ‘Havanatour UK Ltd’, to Vicky Clark, Groups Coordinator, Havanatour, 3 Wyllyotts Place, Potters Bar, Herts, EN6 2JD. The deposit is used to secure your flight booking, and is non-refundable once flight seats have been secured.
Please note that regulations from the Cuban Ministry of Tourism require all visitors to Cuba to have a valid travel insurance policy, including comprehensive medical cover. You must check with your insurance provider that the policy is recognised and valid in Cuba. An insurance cover note must be carried to Cuba and presented to immigration authorities if requested.
We anticipate a very strong interest in this tour and recommend that you book early to avoid disappointment. Please note that the Virgin flights are extremely popular; the flights get full very quickly and they often increase their prices as departure date approaches. We have not made a group flight booking and we would have to pass on any fare increases applied by the airline to you.
Please note that all flights are subject to availability at the time of booking. Should further increases arise in UK airport taxes, and to ensure that we are able to maintain our tour costs as low as possible, we would pass these costs on to tour participants. Please ensure that you have fully read and understood the Havanatour booking conditions. Full payment will be required by 2 January 2020. In the unlikely event of minimum numbers not being obtained, your deposit will be returned in full.
If you would like to discuss the In the Footsteps of Che Study Tour in more detail, please do not hesitate to contact the Cuba Solidarity Campaign office on 020 7490 5715 or e-mail tours@cuba- solidarity.org.uk
With very best wishes,
Trish Meehan
CSC Cuba Travel Shop
For Cuban coffee, books, music and much more shop at http://shop.cuba-solidarity.org.uk/ CheST2020_120719